New American National Standard helps safely implement a rainwater catchment system using precipitation from rooftops and other hard, impervious surfaces.

Chicago, Illinois (November 25, 2013) — The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) is pleased to announce that ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013: Rainwater Catchment Systems was approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on November 14, 2013.

Jointly developed by ASPE and the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and co-sponsored by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and NSF International, ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013 is designed to assist engineers, designers, plumbers, builders/developers, local government officials, and end users in safely implementing a rainwater catchment system using precipitation from rooftops and other hard, impervious surfaces. The collected rainwater can be subsequently used for irrigation, laundry, hygiene, or even potable water applications if the appropriate treatment and materials have been certified for the specific end use. Existing NSF/ANSI standards covering roofing and collection system materials and treatment devices for potable water applications are referenced in the standard.

Originally published in 2007, ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013 went through an extensive revision and public review process using ASPE’s ANSI-accredited standards development procedures to incorporate input from the construction, irrigation, water treatment, and public health industries. A team of sustainable water system design experts, headed by E.W. Bob Boulware, PE, MBA, ARCSA AP, was tasked with vetting comments and proposed revisions to ensure that the standard met current industry and government regulations regarding reclaimed water use.

“ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63 grew out of the increasing awareness of a looming national shortage of water and the need to find alternative water sources,” says Boulware. “I am proud to have been involved with ARCSA’s contribution to this effort and am grateful to ASPE, NSF International, and IAPMO for helping make this an American National Standard.”

“The industry collaboration on this effort is what I am most proud of,” says Jim Kendzel, MPH, CAE, Executive Director/CEO of ASPE. “ASPE is committed to a collaborative process since this method best serves the plumbing community and ASPE’s membership. We are following this principle in the follow-up standard that is currently under development, ARCSA/ASPE 78: Stormwater Harvesting System Design for Direct and Indirect End-Use Applications.”

ASPE will be hosting a stakeholder meeting in early 2014 to review future strategies for addressing rainwater and stormwater catchment system design, as well as to discuss the recently formed U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO Technical Committee 282 for Water Reuse, of which ASPE is the administrator. Kendzel will be attending the first meeting of ISO/TC 282 being held in Singapore in January 2014 and will be reporting the results during the stakeholder meeting. If you are interested in participating in this stakeholder event, contact ASPE Director of Standards and Publications Gretchen Pienta at gpienta@aspe.org.

ASPE is the only professional organization devoted to the training and certification of plumbing engineers and designers. ASPE and its 6,000 worldwide members are dedicated to protecting the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the dissemination of technical data and information to expand the base of knowledge among plumbing engineers, designers, contractors, code officials, inspectors, and manufacturers. For more information, visit ASPE.org.

ARCSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded to promote rainwater catchment systems in the United States. Its membership consists of professionals working in city, state, and federal governments, academia, manufacturers and suppliers of rainwater harvesting equipment, consultants, and other interested individuals. For more information, visit ARCSA.org.

IAPMO, founded in Los Angeles in 1926, has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. With offices in 12 U.S. states and 13 countries, IAPMO has assisted with code development in such diverse places as Saudi Arabia, China, India, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Venezuela, Colombia, and the United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit IAPMO.org.

NSF International is a global independent organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the water, food and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. NSF has been collaborating with the World Health Organization since 1997 in water quality and safety, food safety and indoor environments. NSF International's Water Programs require extensive product testing and unannounced audits of production facilities to verify that water treatment products meet the design, material and performance requirements.